Countering the Regressive for Progressiveness: COVID-19 and Women

Abstract

The concept of economic development comprises of several factors, which include social, political, economic and other spheres of human life. The contribution of human resource to economic growth cannot be discarded in this respect. As they contribute enormously to the development process, irrespective of gender, age, and nature of job etc. people both men and women contribute to nation’s development by engaging in economic activities in the process of meeting their livelihood. Like formal sector, informal sector is also an important source of income, employment and social status to the masses. Around 90% of the workforce is engaged in the informal sector. Aconcern of women in an informal sector in the country is that they often face gender discrimination which is almost inexistent in formal sector. The corona virus pandemic has heavily been disruptive on the economy as well as loss of human lives. Almost all the sectors have been adversely affected in terms of income, employment and basic necessities. It affected all sectors irrespective of region, nature and role. As the most vulnerable and deployed in an informal sector, the women entrepreneurs and workers arealso inescapably affected.